We take a look at what the Iron can expect from the Gills on Saturday...

EARLY SEASON FORM

For whatever reason, Gillingham always seem to be a team that the pundits, as well as the bookmakers, have as the favourites for the drop zone. However, they’re proving once again that they’re a competent side in this division.

The Gills currently sit 18th in League One, even though they have had several key players missing throughout the past two months.

On their way to this, they have performed brilliantly against tough side, and have picked up points against teams favoured for promotion.

And manager Steve Lovell said he feels the confidence growing in his side.

Lovell said ahead of Saturday’s game with the Iron: “The results have turned around and results do give confidence to players. If you get your squad back fully fit, which we have done, it helps.

“We are starting to win games and that is what matters. We take [Saturday’s FA Cup victory] as another win, go onto Scunthorpe on Saturday. Hopefully get a result there and keep it going.”

They come into Saturday’s game against Scunthorpe United on the back of two wins, an impressive victory at the Memorial Stadium against Bristol Rovers, and defeating Slough Town in the FA Cup.

They’ll look to take advantage of an Iron side who have lost their last three, and a win for the visitors could see them move towards mid-table.

Cameron Burgess gets stuck in for Scunthorpe United against Shrewsbury Town. (Image: David Haber/scunthorpelive)

UNPREDICTABILITY

As previously mentioned, Gillingham have had some fantastic performances this campaign, and have proven they can beat anyone on their day.

They defeated Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Ground with 10-men just last week. A few weeks prior to this, they dominated Bradford City, beating them 4-0 and followed this up with a 3-0 victory over Fleetwood Town. The Gills have also beaten league leaders Portsmouth 2-0, and high-flyers Accrington Stanley 2-0 both away from home.

However, they have also lost comfortably to Oxford United, AFC Wimbledon and Rochdale after these impressive victories.

Although Lovell feels confident that his side have now turned a corner and look to be consistently perform, you never know what Gillingham team will turn up.

PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR

You can’t look past their goalkeeper, quite literally.

Tomas Holy is taller than NBA star LeBron James, standing at 6’9 in Gillingham’s goal and has had an impressive season. The Gills have conceded eight less goals than Scunthorpe.

In front of him, they have two very experienced centre-backs in Max Ehmer and Gabriel Zakuani.

Gillingham will be without one of their star signings, as Callum Reilly was sent off against Bristol Rovers.

But they will have their best player, the league’s top goalscorer Tom Eaves. Although not as tall as Holy, Eaves stands at 6’5 and will certainly be a handful for the Iron’s leaky defence on Saturday. He dominated when he came up against Murray Wallace and Rory McArdle at Glanford Park last season.

Eaves has scored 12 goals this season already, and Gillingham will look to use his aerial presence from set-pieces as they’ll put as many crosses into the box as they can.

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WHERE WILL SATURDAY’S GAME BE WON AND LOST

No team, Football League or Premier League have conceded more goals than Scunthorpe United this season. That’s not good.

However, they have actually improved defensively in the past few weeks.

Now, it’s the other end of the pitch where they are having issues. Their struggling to find the back of the net.

Stuart McCall has changed formation four times in the Iron’s last four games as he desperately tries to find the right balance with his current personnel, as key players such as Funso Ojo and Ryan Colclough are sidelined.

Colclough’s absence already proven to be a huge blow to their offensive cohesion. He was the one who provided the spark, and constantly got into position to create chances for the strikers.

Lee Novak has been impressive recently, and the Iron will need him to be at his best if they are going to beat the Gills.

It might be a good idea for McCall to go with all three of his centre-backs against Eaves on Saturday, they’ll need Cameron Burgess aerial presence against the Gills striker.